If you are familiar with the subject technical stuff is rather easy and fast. What is general text? Loveletters? Birthday cards?
Literature of course is badly paid I hear, in relation to novels and poems technical stuff seems to win out, but even for patents they do not pay better than for user manuals.
Regards
Heinrich

Subject:

Comment:

The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)

xxxNathalieVVTLocal time: 07:48 French to English + ...

TOPIC STARTER

Non-technical text

May 29, 2005

By non-technical text, I meant text that doesn't contain specialized terms such as Tourism for example and certain business-related documents.

Subject:

Comment:

The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)

I determine the rate for an individual text by thoroughly reading some pages and superficially viewing the rest.

When I won't get an opportunity to view the whole text before I have to submit a binding quotation, I apply a safety factor (maybe up to 8) according to the given information. (Sometimes I encounter clients who are not aware of the difference between a contiguous text and a list of technical terms.)

[Edited at 2005-05-29 10:48]

Subject:

Comment:

The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)

I haven't yet encountered a job of some length that didn't content special terminology. Even text for food packages have to be checked out carefully, i.e. by going to the shop and looking for references. So I'm still waiting for a "general text" to come my way.
Pricing depends on the customer, not so much on the text. You will often encounter jobs that seems to be easy but take a lot of time. Then you have to go along, even if you promised it cheap.

Subject:

Comment:

The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)

Charge a bit more for the technical texts when you have worked with the terminology for a while.
I charge between 0.02 and 0.04 USD more for highly technical texts.
But as you get used to the terminology the translations will be easier and you can charge less if you wish.

However, just as an advice, always add your own notes in a separate file if you're not sure which word is correct.
Do a google search on the different words, and explain why you choose that one.

Subject:

Comment:

The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)

xxxNathalieVVTLocal time: 07:48 French to English + ...

TOPIC STARTER

Thank You

Jun 5, 2005

Thank you all for your comments and feedback. It has been very useful for me and I intendto apply all the advice you have given me.

Subject:

Comment:

The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)

To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.